Ronald McDonald House Ride for Sick Kids helping Tamworth families

STILL SMILING: Alex Southwell, 11, with his new prized possession donated by the Ride for Sick Kids. Photo: Gareth Gardner 120917GGD10

WITH just one pair of clothes in tow, the Southwell family thought they were heading down to Newcastle for just one medical appointment.

That was six years ago.

Since then, the Southwells have split a great deal of their time between Tamworth and Newcastle as son, and little brother, Alex, 11, receives treatment for Bronchiolitis Obliterans, which has left him with just 30 per cent lung capacity.

“When we went down there, when Alex first got sick, we just had one pair of clothes, we thought we were just going for one appointment, but we ended up staying for three weeks,” mother Rebecca Southwell said.

“We were just lost.

“It was the worst time of our lives.”

We thought we were just going for one appointment, but we ended up staying for three weeks,

Mother Rebecca Southwell

Navigating through a trying time, Mrs Southwell said the family have been supported by the Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle, providing comfort when it’s most needed.